Palo Alto city officials unveiled new solar panels installed at two public garages on Webster and Bryant Streets on Tuesday. (KGO)

KGO

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

PALO ALTO, Calif. (KGO) --

Palo Alto city officials are showing their commitment to renewable energy. They unveiled new solar panels installed at two public garages on Webster and Bryant Streets on Tuesday.

The solar panels will power the garages and electric vehicle charging stations.

Officials plan to add more charging stations around the city. They say the city wants to make driving electric convenient and economical.

Palo Alto has one of the highest per-capita electric vehicle ownership rates in the country, with 2,500 residents owning a vehicle and another 1,000 electric vehicle commuters coming into town each day.

"Our ability to generate local renewable power used to enhance the infrastructure in support of electric vehicle ownership and driving reinforces Palo Alto's role as a leader in clean energy and EV market share," said Palo Alto City Manager James Keene. "Both are key to reaching our sustainability and climate action goals."

These new solar panels bring the city halfway to its goal of adding a total of 1.3 megawatts of solar energy to four city-owned parking structures.

The goal is for the city to achieve four percent of its total electric energy consumption from local solar by 2020.

Palo Alto will also begin implementing a charging fee at public facilities beginning August 1. The new fee will be 23 cents per kilowatt hour.

Click here for more information and for a map of charging stations in Palo Alto.